This post has been a LONG time coming, and rightly so, as it contains more photos that I think I’ve ever included in one post. Grab a mug of hot chocolate and get ready for some photo scrolling!

With the Bar Exam behind us, my family all piled into the 15-passenger van and headed to California for a much-deserved week of fun in the California sun. We had a good time!

The house we stayed at was perfect. The home had lots of bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone (there was even a special hallway for Amelia to sleep in!), a full kitchen, plenty of table space to play lots of games, beautiful views from the front balcony, and access to the beach only a short walk away.

Sunday after a rather, shall we say, interesting Testimony meeting, we headed off in search of the Newport Beach Temple. (Honestly, can’t say that I’ve ever heard someone brag about swimming in Napolean Dynomite’s swimming pool, read poetry they wrote in jail, and state that the day they met their wife was the worst day of their life, all in one single meeting. Not sure how any of that is even a testimony…) Nevertheless, the day was pleasant and sunny, and the temple was even more beautiful.

We spent a good three days during our week-long stay, hanging out at the beach. It was the perfect way to spend our time, as everyone got to do what they wanted.

Despite everyone’s attempts, Amelia wasn’t such a fan of the 65 degree California surf. I can’t say I blame her.

She did like the sand, though. And pieces of drift wood. And rocks. And pretty much anything inedible.

Can’t say I blame her on that front, either—with the sand, that is. I enjoyed blissful days of sand between my toes, lots of reading, and lots of photography.

We both liked burying Uncle Jason in the sand.

The boys liked skim boarding, boogie boarding, and showing off for “hot” babes on too small bikinis.

Afterward, soaking up some Negative Ions was practically mandatory.

Then there was the First Annual Drain Family Sand Castle Building Contest, in which only one sand castle got built. And even that sand castle didn’t last very long, as the tide quickly made it a thing of the past, before it was even completed.

It doesn’t get much better than messing around on the beach…

Unless, of course, you consider visiting the Nixon Library. We had a good time there, too.

Here you can see Nixon’s birth home, grave site, and Army 1, all in one fell swoop.

There were beautiful gardens to enjoy, complete with the gazebo under which Nixon’s daughter was married.

And don’t forget the replica of the East Room of the White House. Perfect for spinning and dancing around in.

But perhaps the best day of all was when we headed off to Knott’s Berry Farm.

We planned out a route that would insure we had the most possible fun.

Some of the rides were a bit advanced for little Peanuts. (And despite my best attempts, a bit too wet. )

But others were perfect for the entire family.

Amelia enjoyed a new way of cruising around the park.

And received plenty of attention from dotting grandparents.

Who knows what these boys were thinking…

I forgot how much I enjoy little amusement park rides and I’m so excited to take Amelia to Disneyland some day when she’s older.

In between all these big events, we also had fun swinging in a park on the beach,

sharing lots of meals together,

having good laughs while playing games late at night,

and just plain spending time with each other. It truly was a great week and we were sad to head back to the heat of Phoenix—of course, that’s pretty much how every vacation ends.

Lonica Stuff, No Place Like Home, Road Trips | 4 Comments »

There are pretty much two things to do in the Valley of the Sun come July—swim and shop. Ever since I’ve arrived, we’ve been doing a lot of both. Almost every day my mom and I sneak away to some store or other. We’ve had a good time chatting and browsing. I’ll admit it’s been a bit nice to get away without the Peanut more often, as I don’t feel quite so tied down to nap schedules.

Amelia has turned into quite the little fish, which I’ll admit I’ve encouraged. I think learning to swim is a very important skill and something that can and should be learned from a young age.

We go swimming nearly every day and Amelia gets a chance to practice her skills.

She especially gets good practice whenever Raquel is around. Raquel taught infant swim lessons for many years and she is very good at it. It’s amazing some of the skills she can teach to such little babies. She has songs, movements, and maneuvers (which are surprisingly tricky!) for helping them to learn the skills they need to know. Luckily, she shares those talents with Amelia.

We also spent lots of time hanging out with family, friends, and grandparents. Amelia sure is one loved little girl. Her grandparent’s can’t get enough of her!

Amelia Marie, Lonica Stuff, No Place Like Home | 2 Comments »

I love these two pictures. My grandparents always sit just like this at this kitchen table, which has been around ever since I can remember. The second just seems to capture my Grandpa so perfectly.

Last Christmas, we made a special trip to St. Johns to visit my Grandma and Grandpa Drain. I’m glad we were able to make it and that Amelia got the opportunity to meet her Great-grandparents, as my grandpa, who hasn’t been in good health for many years, passed away on July 8th. He, amazingly enough, is the first of all my grandparents to die.

As I was already planning to come to Mesa to visit, it was easy to divert my plans just a bit and attend his funeral. Although the gathering was a bit sad, it was nice to visit with family.

My dad asks me to do few things in life. When he asked me to play the piano at Grandpa’s funeral I was very hesitant to agree, since I hardly play anymore, but with some persuasion, I agreed. I spent the week leading up to the funeral frantically practicing. Despite a few mistakes and a air conditioning breeze that blew my sheet music off of the piano, I think I did alright.

Singing together as cousins was a bit more difficult, though. We were all a bit choked up by this time in the program and I’m afraid we probably didn’t sound too good.

Jason nearly fell into the grave and this man “helped” hold him back. Perhaps, its a bit irreverent, but we all got a good laugh out of that one. I spent much of the day documenting the events of the funeral with my camera.

Other than our poor musical number, the funeral went really well. It was a hot weekend in St. John’s, but it was nice to return to the scene of so many fond memories growing up. We will definitely miss having my grandpa around.

Lonica Stuff, No Place Like Home | 2 Comments »

With her real dad MIA—studying for the bar exam seems to be more than a full time job—Amelia and I headed off for a long visit to family. We arrived in Phoenix a week and a half before Scott would join us to take his big test.

Amelia was excited to see everyone, but a bit hesitant when it came to Black Puppy Dieter.

He would lick her face and she would blow raspberries. Over. And over again. Till her dress was ringed with attractive saliva.

He would crawl towards her and she would back away.

He would turn away and she would crawl towards him.

The act was really rather hilarious and has offered countless hours of entertainment.

Yesterday, after two weeks of visiting, obvious thought on the matter, and false starts, she finally reached out and tentatively touched his waiting back. You should have seen her grin. It lit up the room.

If only she would be so cautious when it game to items that were actually dangerous or off limits—take computer cords, end tables, and lamps, for example.

Amelia Marie, No Place Like Home | No Comments »

April found all of the Rowleys together for a good time back home and down in Rocky Point.

Aside from the obligatory family photos, Amelia was able to meet her cousins for the first time. Obviously, it didn’t take long before their relationship as “kissing cousins” was cemented.

Lake was so funny with her, though. He kept grabbing her cheeks and saying (in a perfect impersonation of any mother-figure), “well, aren’t you just the cutest thing? You are just too cute?” Suffice it to say, I thought he was pretty cute!

Lake wasn’t the only one who thought Little Miss Amelia’s cheeks were cute. Raquel joined in the cheek kissing party too.

Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Garth were both excited to see the little one, when we made it over to the Drains for Sunday dinner.

Amelia also took a liking to her Uncle Dave, whom she met for the first time. Her Uncle Steve made a great first impression by offering her a “whisker pie” anytime he came within distance and Aunt Kendee was willing to prepare for Baby #3 by holding and playing with Amelia.

Amelia had a great time pulling Maile’s hair, to which Maile would always respond, with a giggle, “she likes my hair!”

Together we had a great time playing at the lake, where Mark, Clint, Kim, their boys, and Natalie were all able to join us.

Amelia had her first opportunity to go tubing. She seemed rather unfazed by the whole experience and I think Scott and I were more excited for the whole occasion that she was.

The three brothers also had a chance riding the tube. Their turn started out innocently enough, but quickly evolved into a typical, Rowley Brother Competitive Match.

The always manage to make things very interesting!

And that was just the start of our vacation.

We still managed to find time to veg out and read books on the beach,

Fish for dinner,

Play in the sand (wearing our Cindy-Lou-Who stripped footie pajamas, of course),

Swim at the Mayan Palace,

Ride quads, go for lazy walks on the beach, search for shells, and enjoy good food. All before it was time to clean up the toys and head home. We had a blast hanging out with family and having a good time. If only we could stay longer…

, Lonica Stuff, No Place Like Home | 2 Comments »